GALVA - Betty F. Hay, age 101, of Galva, passed away on Saturday, January 8, 2022, just 17 days shy of her 102nd birthday.
Funeral services for Betty Hay will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, January 14, 2022 at Rux Funeral Home in Galva with Pastor Don Reul officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the funeral service from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be at Galva Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Betty was born on January 25, 1920 in Chicago, IL, the youngest child of Forest Glen and Florence (Saunders) Finch. She married Charles (“Chuck”) Hay, Jr. on March 13, 1943 in St. Louis, MO. He preceded her in death on January 6, 2010, after a loving marriage of 66 years.
Betty is survived by her children: William “Bill” (Susie) Hay of Neoga, IL and Beverly Laramore of Chester, IL; her grandchildren: Kelly Hay, Kevin (Kathryn) Hay, Chad (Amy) Morse, Shonna (Jeff) Haines and great-grandchildren: Alivia Hay, Lilian Hay, Lexi Morse, Cayden Morse, Tyler Haines and Trevor Haines. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews, whom she adored and with whom she kept in close contact.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband and parents; and by her brothers, Donald Finch, Richard Finch, Bernard Finch and sisters Carolyn Rogers, and Marjorie Clarke.
Betty was a 1938 graduate of Hirsh High School in Chicago, IL and was the first one of her family to do so. She worked as a secretary before marrying Chuck Hay and they eventually moved to Galva, IL. Her life centered on raising their 2 children and supporting Chuck’s work with Chuck Hay Insurance. Their marriage was defined by their faith and they were active in the First Baptist Church of Galva for decades. They wintered in Lakeland, FL and she was an avid golfer until the age of 94. She loved working crossword puzzles and word jumbles. She and Chuck played Scrabble every day at lunch time for years, and scores of all their games were recorded and saved. Besides sending untold numbers of cards every month to friends and family, Betty’s greatest gift was in service to others, and her ability to provide counsel and guidance to so many. Her secret to living a long life? “Love the Lord and keep moving!”
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